U.S. patent number 8,464,867 [Application Number 13/510,772] was granted by the patent office on 2013-06-18 for package for tobacco-related articles.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Imperial Tobacco Limited. The grantee listed for this patent is Alistair Buckingham, Tim Collins, Guillaume Devivier, Inga Gurke, Steve Holloway, Paul Jenkins, Solvey Knorr, Slavomir Novak, Neil Southey, Regine Wolfgramm. Invention is credited to Alistair Buckingham, Tim Collins, Guillaume Devivier, Inga Gurke, Steve Holloway, Paul Jenkins, Solvey Knorr, Slavomir Novak, Neil Southey, Regine Wolfgramm.
United States Patent |
8,464,867 |
Holloway , et al. |
June 18, 2013 |
Package for tobacco-related articles
Abstract
A package (1) for tobacco-related articles comprises an outer
shell (2), a lid (4) which is adapted to close the top side of the
outer shell (2) and can be swivelled about a hinge line, and an
inner shell (6). The inner shell (6) accommodates a plurality of
tobacco-related articles and can be shifted in the outer shell (2)
from a retracted position to an advanced position, which enables
access to the tobacco-related articles. A cutout (20) in the outer
shell (2) exposes part of the inner shell (6) and enables
transmitting a force onto the inner shell (6) for moving the inner
shell (6). A connector (50) pushes the lid (4) into its opened
state when the inner shell (6) is moved into its advanced position
and pulls the lid (4) into its closed state when the inner shell
(6) is moved into its retracted position.
Inventors: |
Holloway; Steve (Slough,
GB), Collins; Tim (London, GB), Knorr;
Solvey (Hamburg, DE), Southey; Neil (Slough,
GB), Jenkins; Paul (Slough, GB),
Buckingham; Alistair (Slough, GB), Wolfgramm;
Regine (Hamburg, DE), Gurke; Inga (Hamburg,
DE), Novak; Slavomir (Hamburg, DE),
Devivier; Guillaume (Cedex, FR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Holloway; Steve
Collins; Tim
Knorr; Solvey
Southey; Neil
Jenkins; Paul
Buckingham; Alistair
Wolfgramm; Regine
Gurke; Inga
Novak; Slavomir
Devivier; Guillaume |
Slough
London
Hamburg
Slough
Slough
Slough
Hamburg
Hamburg
Hamburg
Cedex |
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A |
GB
GB
DE
GB
GB
GB
DE
DE
DE
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Imperial Tobacco Limited
(Bristol, GB)
|
Family
ID: |
41692043 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/510,772 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2010 |
PCT
Filed: |
November 18, 2010 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EP2010/007007 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
June 27, 2012 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2011/060930 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
May 26, 2011 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20120261285 A1 |
Oct 18, 2012 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 20, 2009 [EP] |
|
|
09014501 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/250; 206/268;
206/270 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
85/1056 (20200501); B65D 85/1009 (20130101); B65D
85/1054 (20130101); B65D 85/1048 (20200501) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
85/10 (20060101); B65D 5/32 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;206/249,250,255,265,268,270,271,273 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0183397 |
|
Jun 1986 |
|
EP |
|
1590251 |
|
Mar 2009 |
|
EP |
|
1081649 |
|
Dec 1954 |
|
FR |
|
Other References
Written Opinion and Search Report for counterpart Singapore
Application No. 201203081-3 entitled Package for Tobacco-Related
Articles (Dated Dec. 11, 2012) (issued by Danish Patent and
Trademark Office). cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Ackun; Jacob K
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hovey Williams LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A package for tobacco-related articles, said package comprising:
an outer shell including an outer front wall, an outer rear wall,
and two outer lateral walls opposite to each other and connecting
the outer front wall and the outer rear wall, said outer shell
including a top side; a lid adapted to close the top side of the
outer shell when in a closed state, said lid being swivelably
connected to the outer rear wall or one of the outer lateral walls
at a lid hinge line and being swivelable about the lid hinge line
for transfer between the closed state and an opened state; an inner
shell adapted to accommodate a plurality of tobacco-related
articles and shiftably mounted in the outer shell, wherein the
inner shell is moveable from a retracted position to an advanced
position that enables access to the tobacco-related articles; a
cutout in at least one wall selected from the group consisting of
the outer front wall, the outer rear wall, and the two outer
lateral walls, wherein the cutout is adapted to expose a part of
the inner shell and to enable transmission of a force onto the
inner shell for moving the inner shell; and a connector extending
between a portion of the inner shell and the lid, wherein the
connector engages the lid at a distance from the lid hinge line
smaller than a dimension of the lid in a direction perpendicular to
the lid hinge line, said connector being adapted to shift the lid
into the opened state when the inner shell is moved into the
advanced position and to shift the lid into the closed state when
the inner shell is moved into the retracted position, wherein the
lid comprises a top wall including a front edge, a rear edge, two
lateral edges, and a bottom side, said lid hinge line being located
at the rear edge or at one of the lateral edges of the top
wall.
2. Package according to claim 1, wherein the outer shell includes
an outer bottom wall, wherein the two outer lateral walls and the
outer bottom wall connect the outer front wall and the outer rear
wall.
3. Package according to claim 1, wherein the inner shell, in the
retracted position, is housed inside the outer shell.
4. Package according to claim 1, wherein the connector is a hinged
connector.
5. Package according to claim 1, wherein the inner shell comprises
an inner rear wall having an upper edge or a lateral wall having an
upper edge, wherein the connector extends from said upper edge such
that a first connector hinge line is defined at or adjacent said
upper edge, wherein a second connector hinge line is defined at the
bottom side of the top wall.
6. Package according to claim 5, wherein a distance between the
first connector hinge line and the second connector hinge line is
greater than a distance between the lid hinge line and the second
connector hinge line.
7. Package according to claim 5, wherein, in the closed state of
the lid, a ratio of a distance between the first connector hinge
line and the lid hinge line to a distance between the lid hinge
line and the second connector hinge line is in the range from 0.5
to 1.0.
8. Package according to claim 1, wherein a beveled edge wall
extends from at least a first edge of the top wall, said first edge
being positioned opposite to the lid hinge line, wherein the
beveled edge wall fits into the outer shell when the lid is in the
closed state.
9. Package according to claim 8, wherein the beveled edge wall
extends from a plurality of edges of the top wall.
10. Package according to claim 8, wherein the beveled edge wall is
folded from a blank of the outer shell that includes a blank of the
lid.
11. Package according to claim 1, wherein an edge wall extends from
at least a first edge of the top wall, said first edge being
positioned opposite to the lid hinge line, wherein the edge wall
extends generally perpendicularly with respect to the top wall of
the lid and is visible when the lid is in the closed state.
12. Package according to claim 1, wherein the inner shell comprises
an inner front wall providing a free access area, which is adapted
to facilitate access to a content of the inner shell when the inner
shell is in the advanced position.
13. Package according to claim 12, wherein, when the inner shell is
in the retracted position, the free access area of the inner shell
does not overlap with the cutout of the outer shell.
14. Package according to claim 1, wherein the inner shell comprises
an inner front wall, an inner rear wall, two inner lateral walls
opposite to each other, and an inner bottom wall connecting the
inner front wall and the inner rear wall.
15. Package according to claim 12, wherein the inner front wall
comprises a reinforced structure.
16. Package according to claim 1, wherein a reinforcement insert is
inserted into the inner shell.
17. Package according to claim 16, wherein the reinforcement insert
is formed as a plastic container.
18. Package according to claim 1, wherein the inner shell is
designed as a plastic container.
19. Package according to claim 1, wherein the cutout of the outer
shell is provided in the outer front wall.
20. Package according to claim 19, wherein the cutout of the outer
shell is located in a side area of the outer front wall.
21. Package according to claim 1, wherein the cutout is adapted to
enable exertion of a force onto the inner shell for moving the
inner shell.
22. Package according to claim 21, wherein the cutout is formed
from a blank of the outer shell in which at least part of the blank
of the cutout area is folded back to an inner face of the outer
shell.
23. Package according to claim 21, wherein, opposite to the cutout
of the outer shell, the inner shell includes a grip-enhancing
surface.
24. Package according to claim 1, said package including an
actuator for moving the inner shell, wherein the actuator is
attached to the inner shell and protrudes through the cutout.
25. Package according to claim 24, wherein the inner shell is
lockable in the retracted position and releasable by means of the
actuator.
26. Package according to claim 25, wherein the cutout comprises a
slot extending in parallel to a moving direction of the inner
shell, as well as a widened area at a lower end of the slot,
wherein a part of the actuator is lockable in the widened area of
the cutout and releasable by pressing the actuator.
27. Package according to claim 1, wherein the outer shell comprises
a plurality of rounded edges.
28. Package according to claim 1, wherein the outer shell is
hexagonal or octagonal in cross-sectional shape, wherein a
plurality of side panels are folded from the outer lateral walls or
from the outer front wall along a corresponding plurality of fold
lines running in parallel to a longitudinal axis of the
package.
29. Package according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the outer
shell and the inner shell is folded from a respective blank.
30. Package according to claim 29, wherein the blank is made from
cardboard in a weight range from 180 g/m2 to 290 g/m2.
31. Package according to claim 1, wherein the package comprises a
material selected from the group consisting of cardboard, laminated
cardboard, coated cardboard, cardboard in a weight range from 180
g/m2 to 290 g/m2, cardboard in a thickness range from 250 .mu.m to
500 .mu.m, cardboard in a stiffness range from 5 mN to 25 mN, flat
material in a thickness range from 50 .mu.m to 2000 .mu.m, plastics
materials, metals, and aluminum.
32. Package according to claim 1, wherein the connector is formed
in a manner selected from the group consisting of folded by a part
of a blank of the outer shell and by a part of a blank of the inner
shell and both parts being glued together, folded by a part of a
blank of the outer shell and glued to the inner shell, folded by a
part of a blank of the inner shell and glued to the lid, provided
as a metal part connected to the inner shell and to the lid,
provided as a wire connected to the inner shell and to the lid, and
provided as a plastic part connected to the inner shell and to the
lid.
33. Package according to claim 1, wherein the package includes a
noise-producing mechanism adapted to be operated when the lid is
swivelled in at least a manner selected from the group consisting
of from the closed state to the opened state and from the opened
state to the closed state.
34. Package according to claim 1, wherein the package includes at
least two inner shells which are arranged side by side.
35. Package according to claim 34, wherein the lid is swivelably
connected to the outer rear wall.
36. Package according to claim 35, wherein the lid is foamed from
at least two separate lid parts, which are arranged side by side
and are swivelably connected to the outer rear wall, wherein each
of the separate lid parts is associated with a corresponding one of
the inner shells.
37. Package according to claim 36, wherein the front wall of the
outer shell is provided with at least one cutout adapted to expose
a part of each of the inner shells and to enable transmission or
exertion of a force onto each of the inner shells for moving a
respective one of the inner shells and actuating a respective part
of the lid via a connector or hinged connector.
38. Package according to claim 1, wherein the package contains
tobacco-related articles, wherein the tobacco-related articles are
selected from the group consisting of cigarettes, cigarillos,
cigars, tobacco-containing rods, smokeless tobacco, simulated
smoking devices, inhalors without combustion of tobacco, and aroma
reservoirs.
39. Package according to claim 6, wherein the distance between the
first connector hinge line and the second connector hinge line is
greater than the distance between the lid hinge line and the second
connector hinge line by an amount in a range from 0.4 mm to 1.8
mm.
40. Package according to claim 39, wherein the amount is about 0.7
mm.
41. Package according to claim 7, wherein the ratio of the distance
between the first connector hinge line and the lid hinge line to
the distance between the lid hinge line and the second connector
hinge line is in the range from 0.70 to 0.85.
42. Package according to claim 41, wherein the ratio of the
distance between the first connector hinge line and the lid hinge
line to the distance between the lid hinge line and the second
connector hinge line is about 0.78.
43. Package according to claim 10, wherein the beveled edge wall
has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of
triangular, quadrangular, polygonal, and shape including at least
one curved face.
44. Package according to claim 15, wherein the reinforced structure
comprises cardboard selected from the group consisting of
double-layer cardboard and triple-layer cardboard.
45. Package according to claim 17, wherein the plastic container is
formed by injection molding.
46. Package according to claim 18, wherein at least part of the
connector is formed as part of the plastic container.
47. Package according to claim 20, wherein the inner shell
comprises an inner front wall providing a free access area which
does not overlap with the cutout of the outer shell when the inner
shell is in the retracted position.
48. Package according to claim 23, wherein the grip-enhancing
surface includes at least one feature selected from the group
consisting of relief structure, cutout structure, high-friction
coating, and rubber-like coating.
49. Package according to claim 25, wherein the inner shell is
biased by a spring device toward the advanced position.
50. Package according to claim 27, wherein a first longitudinal
edge between the outer front wall and a first one of the outer
lateral walls is rounded, wherein a second longitudinal edge
between the outer front wall and a second one of the outer lateral
walls is rounded.
51. Package according to claim 33, wherein the noise-producing
mechanism comprises at least one of a tab arranged at the lid
interacting with a counterpart arranged at the outer shell and a
tab arranged at the outer shell interacting with a counterpart
arranged at the lid.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
This is a National Phase Application pursuant to 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2010/007007, filed
Nov. 18, 2010, claiming priority from European Patent Application
No. EP 09014501.2, filed Nov. 20, 2009, the entire disclosures of
both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
The invention relates to a package for tobacco-related articles,
e.g. for cigarettes or for cigarillos.
A conventional package for tobacco-related articles comprises a
shell having a front wall, a rear wall, two lateral walls opposite
to each other and a bottom wall connecting the front wall and the
rear wall. The top side of the shell is closed by a lid, which can
be opened by swivelling or rotating it about a hinge line provided
at the rear wall or one of the lateral walls. For opening or
closing such package, the user generally has to apply both of his
or her hands.
FR 1 081 649 discloses a cigarette package comprising an outer
shell and an inner shell. The inner shell accommodates the
cigarettes and can be moved up and down in the outer shell by means
of an actuating knob guided in a slot in the front wall of the
outer shell. The top side of the outer shell is closed by two lids.
When the inner shell is upwardly moved, the lids open
automatically. This package can be handled by one hand. However,
the means for actuating the lids are elaborate and tend to be
expensive.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,929,542 describes a slide box for cigarettes in
which an inner shell can be slid inside an outer shell. A lid is
connected to a top edge of the inner shell by means of a flexible
connector, which unlocks the lid after it has been moved out of the
outer shell when the inner shell is slid in top direction. This
package can be handled by one hand, but this might be inconvenient
because the lid does not necessarily open automatically and it
might be required to tilt the package for opening the lid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,548 discloses a push pack comprising an outer
shell without bottom and an inner shell. A lid opens automatically
when the inner shell is moved in top direction. In order to move
the inner shell, however, the user has to push it from the bottom
side, which much impedes one-hand operation.
EP 1 590 251 B1 describes a rigid package for tobacco articles
including an outer box and an inner box. The inner box is guided by
a kind of elevator for up and down movement. This elevator consists
of a flexible member surrounding the inner box in longitudinal
direction and being fixed to a wall of the outer box, and it is
actuated by sliding the flexible member upwards or downwards by
shifting it, at the side opposite to the wall it is fixed at,
through an aperture in the outer box. A lid is part of the flexible
member. This package enables one-hand operation, but its design is
somewhat complicated and tends to be expensive.
SUMMARY
It is the object of the invention to provide an attractive and
moderate-priced package for tobacco-related articles which can be
handled in a convenient way by means of one hand.
This problem is solved by a package for tobacco-related articles
having the features described below.
The package according to the invention is designed to accommodate
tobacco-related articles. The package comprises an outer shell
having a front wall, a rear wall, two lateral walls opposite to
each other and optionally a bottom wall, which connect the front
wall and the rear wall, as well as a top side. A lid is adapted to
close the top side of the outer shell when it is in a closed state.
The lid is swivelably connected to the rear wall or one of the
lateral walls of the outer shell at a hinge line, and it can be
swivelled about this hinge line for transfer from the closed state
to an opened state. Moreover, the package comprises an inner shell
which is adapted to accommodate a plurality of tobacco-related
articles. The inner shell is shiftably mounted in the outer shell
and can be moved from a retracted position to an advanced position,
which enables access to the smoking articles.
At least one wall of the outer shell, selected from the front wall,
the rear wall or the two lateral walls, is provided with a cutout
(aperture) through which part of the inner shell is exposed. By
means of the cutout, a user can transmit a force onto the inner
shell in order to move the inner shell, i.e. in order to shift the
inner shell from its retracted to its advanced position or to move
it back from its advanced to its retracted position.
A connector is provided between a portion of the inner shell and
the lid. The connector engages the lid at a distance from the hinge
line smaller than the dimension of the lid in a direction
perpendicular to the hinge line and is adapted to push the lid into
its opened state when the inner shell is moved into its advanced
position and to pull the lid into its closed state when the inner
shell is moved into its retracted position. Thus, the lid is
automatically opened and closed, respectively, when the user moves
the inner shell.
The cutout in the outer shell, in being adapted to enable
transmitting a force onto the inner shell for moving the inner
shell, can be adapted to enable exerting a force onto the inner
shell for moving the inner shell. In this way, a user can apply his
or her thumb in order to grasp through the cutout and shift the
inner shell by slightly pressing onto the inner shell and moving
the thumb in a direction towards the lid or away from the lid,
respectively. The cutout can extend over more than one wall of the
outer shell, e.g. in a corner area between the front wall and one
of the lateral walls. Moreover, more than one cutout is conceivable
as well. It is also possible that the bottom wall of the outer
shell includes part of the cutout or an additional cutout. In
alternative embodiments, an actuator for moving the inner shell is
attached to the inner shell and protrudes through the cutout.
The package according to the invention can be handled in a very
convenient way. In contrast to a conventional package, which the
user has to hold by one hand while he or she opens the lid by the
other hand, the package according to the invention can be handled
or operated just by means of one hand. The user can hold it in one
hand, e.g. the rear wall of the outer shell facing his or her palm,
and he or she can use his or her thumb in order to grasp through
the cutout and shift the inner shell by slightly pressing onto the
inner shell and moving the thumb in a direction towards the lid or
away from the lid, respectively (or alternatively shift the inner
shell by means of the actuator mentioned above). Because of the
connector, the lid opens and closes automatically. Moreover, the
package according to the invention permits an attractive design,
and it can be manufactured to a moderate price.
The one-hand use of the package according to the invention is
advantageous in many situations, for example while driving, when
operating a computer, when talking on the phone, etc., or,
generally, when the user has ready one hand only and wants to take
a tobacco-related article. The package can rest well in the user's
hand, and the one-hand use of the package is fast and
convenient.
The connector can be designed as a hinged connector, which includes
at least one hinge, e.g. a hinge line at which a generally flat
connector is swivelably connected to the lid or the inner shell. A
hinged connector can also be formed, e.g., from metal (e.g.
designed as a wire) or from plastic. However, it is conceivable as
well that the connector does not comprise a hinge or hinges, e.g. a
connector made from a flexible material and non-swivelably fixed to
the lid and the inner shell so that the connector elastically bends
when the lid opens or closes.
The inner shell, in its retracted position, can be housed inside
the outer shell. However, the outer shell can also be designed as a
less comprehensive structure so that the outer shell and the lid,
when closed, do not fully enclose the inner shell in its retracted
position. In an example of the latter design, part of the inner
shell protrudes at the bottom end of the outer shell when the lid
is closed.
In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the lid comprises a
top wall having a front edge, a rear edge, two lateral edges and a
bottom side. The top wall of the lid closes the top side of the
outer shell when the lid is in its closed state, wherein the hinge
line of the lid is located at the rear edge or at one of the
lateral edges of the top wall. Since the hinge line of the lid is
essentially at the same level as the top wall of the lid (when it
is closed), the connector can be designed in a simple and reliable
manner. Moreover, this geometrical and technical feature permits
attractive design aspects.
In an advantageous design of the connector, the inner shell
comprises a rear wall or a lateral wall having an upper edge,
wherein the connector extends from this upper edge and includes a
first hinge line at or in the area of this upper edge and a second
hinge line at the bottom side of the top wall. Preferably, the
distance between the first hinge line and the second hinge line of
the connector is greater than the distance between the hinge line
of the lid and the second hinge line of the connector, e.g. greater
by an amount in the range of from 0.4 mm to 1.8 mm, or by an amount
of about 0.7 mm. It will become evident from the embodiments
described in more detail below that this condition permits a
space-saving, reliable and smooth coupling between the inner shell
and the lid.
Another advantageous geometrical condition for a reliable operation
of the lid is that, in the closed state of the lid, the ratio of
the distance between the first hinge line of the connector and the
hinge line of the lid to the distance between the hinge line of the
lid and the second hinge line of the connector is in the range from
0.5 to 1.0, preferably in the range from 0.70 to 0.85, e.g. about
0.78. Again, this condition will become evident from the
embodiments described in detail further below.
When the hinge line of the lid is located at the rear edge or at
one of the lateral edges of the top wall, a bevelled edge wall can
extend from at least the edge of the top wall opposite to the hinge
line of the lid. The bevelled edge wall is shaped in a sloped or
curved manner such that it does not interfere with the outer shell
walls during the closing process of the lid and such that it fits
into the outer shell when the lid is in its closed state. Thus, it
facilitates the closing process by guiding the lid into the top
side space of the outer shell, stabilises the package when it is
closed, and provides a better protection for the contents of the
package. The bevelled edge wall can also extend from other edges of
the top wall different from the edge comprising the hinge line of
the lid. A lid designed in this way can look essentially flat when
it is closed, which imparts to the package an interesting and
attractive appearance.
In advantageous versions, the bevelled edge wall is folded from a
blank of the outer shell comprising a blank of the lid. The
bevelled edge wall can have different kinds of cross-sectional
shapes. A triangular shape is preferred because it can be easily
folded from a blank and it is stable. Other shapes are conceivable
as well, e.g. a quadrangular or a polygonal shape or a shape
including at least one curved face.
In other embodiments of the package according to the invention, an
edge wall extends from at least the edge of the top wall opposite
to the hinge line of the lid. This edge wall extends generally
perpendicularly with respect to the top wall of the lid and is
visible when the lid is in its closed state. Thus, it is not a
bevelled edge wall as described before and provides a more
conventional appearance to the package.
It is also conceivable that the lid comprises an edge wall, wherein
the hinge line of the lid is not located at a top wall of the lid,
but is arranged at that edge wall.
The inner shell of the package can comprise a front wall providing
a free access area, which facilitates the access to the contents of
the inner shell when the inner shell is in its advanced position.
This free access area can be designed, e.g., as a cutoff from the
front wall or by means of a portion of the front wall having a
lowered upper edge or by means of a front wall having generally a
low upper edge. Preferably, when the inner shell is in its
retracted position, the free access area of the inner shell does
not overlap with the cutout of the outer shell, i.e. the free
access area is not visible when the package is closed. This
improves the appearance of the package.
Generally, the inner shell can comprise a front wall and a rear
wall as well as two lateral walls opposite to each other and a
bottom wall, which connect the front wall and the rear wall. It is
also conceivable, however, that the inner shell has a lighter
structure in which not all of the above-mentioned walls are
designed as wall panels. In a lighter structure, an inner wrapper
or a bundle wrapper can be applied for providing additional support
to the contents of the package.
In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the front wall of the
inner shell comprises a reinforced structure in order to improve
its counteraction capabilities when the user touches this front
wall, through the cutout, in order to move the inner shell. Such
structure can be made from double-layer or triple-layer cardboard,
e.g., using cardboard panels folded from a blank of the inner
shell. It is also conceivable to apply a separate reinforcement
panel which is attached to the rest of the inner shell.
Alternatively or additionally to this reinforcement structure, a
reinforcement insert can be inserted into the inner shell. The
reinforcement insert can be formed, e.g., as a plastic container,
preferably made by injection-moulding. Such design still uses an
inner shell, e.g. made from a cardboard blank, which is coupled to
the lid via the connector.
It is also possible to dispense with such cardboard inner shell and
to design the inner shell as a plastic container which provides the
desired rigidity. In this case, at least part of the connector can
be formed as part of the plastic container, but it is also
conceivable to attach a connector completely formed from a blank of
the lid (e.g., as part of a blank of the outer shell) to the
plastic container when assembling the package.
Preferably, the cutout of the outer shell is provided in the front
wall of the outer shell. This is a location which allows for a
convenient use of the package. However, it is possible as well to
place the cutout at a different wall or in an area which extends
over two walls or to provide more than one cutout.
The cutout of the outer shell can be located in a side area of the
front wall of the outer shell, i.e. not in the centre area. This is
particularly advantageous when the inner shell comprises a front
wall providing a free access area (see above), because in this case
the cutout of the outer shell can be placed at a location where it
does not overlap with the free access area of the inner shell when
the inner shell is in its retracted position. Moreover, in this
design, the front wall of the outer shell exhibits a large
continuous area which can be used for, e.g., warning hints.
The cutout of the outer shell can be formed from a blank of the
outer shell in which at least part of the blank material of the
cutout area is folded back to the inner face of the outer shell. In
this way, the edges of the cutout are not sharp or somewhat
irregular, but they are determined by the corresponding folding
lines, which tend to be smooth and provide a greater thickness of
the wall area surrounding the cutout. It can be advantageous when
the blank material is not folded back at the top edge of the
cutout, because that edge is not seen in detail when the user holds
the package in a usual way, whereas a back-folded flap at the top
edge of the cutout could interfere with an unimpeded assemblage of
the package.
In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the inner shell
comprises, opposite to the cutout of the outer shell, a
grip-enhancing surface. Such grip-enhancing surface can be
presented, e.g., by means of a relief structure incorporated in the
wall material of the inner shell or provided by a sticker glued to
the inner shell in the area in question. Another option is a cutout
structure, e.g. in a double-layer wall structure of the inner shell
in which the outer layer comprises a series of cutouts whereas the
inner layer folded to the outer layer is smooth. Other embodiments
include a high-friction coating or rubber-like coating, either
applied to a wall or wall area of the inner shell or to a sticker
glued to the inner shell in the area in question. The
grip-enhancing surface facilitates the operation of the package
because it increases the frictional forces to, e.g., the user's
thumb.
In advantageous embodiments of a package comprising an actuator for
moving the inner shell, which is attached to the inner shell and
protrudes through the cutout, as mentioned above, the inner shell
is lockable in its retracted position, the locking being releasable
by means of the actuator, wherein optionally the inner shell is
biased by a spring device towards its advanced position. In this
case, the cutout can comprise a slot extending in parallel to the
moving direction of the inner shell as well as a widened area at
the lower end of the slot, wherein part of the actuator is lockable
in the widened area of the cutout and releasable by pressing the
actuator. Such kind of actuator is easily accessible to the user.
When the spring device is provided, the package can be opened in a
simple way, e.g., just by pressing the actuator.
The outer shell can be box-shaped. It can also comprise rounded
edges, wherein preferably the longitudinal edges between the front
wall and both lateral walls are rounded. Another option for the
shape of the outer shell is a form with a hexagonal or octagonal
cross-sectional shape, wherein the lateral walls or the front wall
comprise side panels folded from the rest of the respective lateral
wall or from the rest of the front wall (or rear wall) along fold
lines running in parallel to a longitudinal axis of the package.
Such shapes provide an attractive appearance of the package,
whereas additional manufacturing expenses are moderate. The shape
of the inner shell can be adjusted accordingly.
In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the outer shell
and/or the inner shell of the package are folded from a respective
blank. The respective blank can be made from cardboard (which term
includes laminated cardboard or coated cardboard) in the weight
range from 180 g/m.sup.2 to 290 g/m.sup.2. This involves
well-established techniques. Cardboard blanks can be designed in a
large number of varieties. Other materials for the components of
the package are conceivable as well, however, for example cardboard
having a weight outside of the range indicated above or laminated
materials or plastic materials.
More generally, the package can comprise, e.g., cardboard,
laminated card-board, coated cardboard, plastics materials, metals,
aluminium, and/or flat materials (in general) in the thickness
range from 50 .mu.m to 2000 .mu.m. Cardboard can be specified by
its weight (mass) per unit area, which may be in the range from 180
g/m.sup.2 to 290 g/m.sup.2. Cardboard can also be specified by its
thickness, which may range from 250 .mu.m to 500 .mu.l as measured
in accordance with International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) standard number 534 (i.e., ISO 534).
Another way to specify cardboard is by means of its stiffness,
which may be in the range from 5 mN to 25 mN when measured
according to ISO 2493:1992(E). In short, ISO 2493 describes the
determination of resistance to bending of paper and board. The
results are expressed as a force acting perpendicular to a
cantilever-mounted test piece of 38 mm width close to its free end
at a bending length of 50 mm, when the piece bends by
15.degree..
There are many design options for the connector. For example, it
can be folded by part of a blank of the outer shell and by part of
a blank of the inner shell, wherein both parts are glued together
upon assemblage of the package. Or it can be folded by part of a
blank of the outer shell and glued directly to the inner shell. Or
it can be folded by part of a blank of the inner shell and glued to
the lid, which preferably is made from part of a blank of the outer
shell. Regarding the shape of the connector, it can be relatively
narrow measured in a direction along the hinge line of the lid. But
it can also have the greatest or the almost greatest possible width
measured in this direction. Generally, a larger width increases the
rigidity of the structure. A trapezoidal shape of the connector,
e.g., provides for a large extension where it is required for
improving strength but also provides sloped edges which may
facilitate the assemblage of the package.
In other embodiments, the connector is provided as a metal part
connected to the inner shell and to the lid, or it is provided as a
wire connected to the inner shell and to the lid, or it is provided
as a plastic part connected to the inner shell and to the lid. For
example, a connector designed as a flat flexible metal part or a
flat flexible plastic part can be useful when the connector does
not comprise a hinge or hinges, e.g. when the connecter is
non-swivelably fixed to the lid and the inner shell of the package
so that the connector elastically bends when the lid opens or
closes.
Moreover, the package can comprise a noise-producing mechanisms
adapted to be operated when the lid is swivelled from the closed
state to the opened state and/or from the opened state to the
closed state. For example, the noise-producing mechanism may
comprise a tab arranged at the lid interacting with a counterpart
arranged at the outer shell and/or a tab arranged at the outer
shell interacting with a counterpart arranged at the lid. When the
tab scratches along its counterpart during the actuation of the
lid, a noise is produced, which may have an appealing effect.
The package according to the invention is not restricted to a
design comprising one inner shell containing one charge or bundle
of tobacco-related products only. The invention is also directed to
packages including one inner shell containing more than one bundle,
and it is further directed to packages including more than one
inner shell. For example, the package can comprise at least two
inner shells which are arranged side by side. In this case,
preferably, the lid is swivelably connected to the rear wall of the
outer shell. The lid can be formed from at least two separate
parts, which are arranged side by side and are swivelably connected
to the rear wall of the outer shell, wherein each of the separate
parts of the lid is associated to one of the inner shells. The
front wall of the outer shell can be provided with at least one
cutout adapted to expose part of each of the inner shells and to
enable transmitting or exerting a force onto each of the inner
shells for moving the respective inner shell and actuating the
respective part of the lid via a connector or a hinged connector.
This at least one cutout can be a single cutout in an area having
access to all of the inner shells, or it can include at least two
cutouts, one for each inner shell.
The package according to the invention can be filled with all kinds
of tobacco-related articles, for example with cigarettes,
cigarillos, cigars, tobacco-containing rods, smokeless tobacco,
simulated smoking devices (e.g., electronic cigarettes), inhalors
without combustion of tobacco, or aroma reservoirs.
When filled with tobacco-related articles, the package can be
enclosed by, e.g., a cellophane or transparent plastic (e.g.,
polypropylene) wrapper, which is removed or partially removed by
the user before opening the package for the first time. Such kind
of wrappers aid in maintaining the aroma and freshness of the
tobacco-related articles and serve as a temper-evident closure.
In a different embodiment of a package for tobacco-related
articles, the outer shell does not have a cutout in its front wall,
rear wall or lateral walls. In this embodiment, the outer shell
rather comprises a cutout in its bottom wall (including a
missing-bottom). Otherwise, this embodiment can be constructed as
outlined above. For advancing the inner shell, the user has to
press upon its bottom (through the bottom aperture of the outer
shell), while for retracting the inner shell, the user has to
manually close the lid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
In the following, the invention is further explained by means of
embodiments. The drawings show in
FIG. 1 in parts (a) to (e) several views of a first embodiment of a
package for tobacco-related articles according to the invention,
i.e. in part (a) an isometric view of the package, the lid being
partially opened, in part (b) an isometric view of the package, the
lid being fully opened and an inner shell of the package having
been moved to an advanced position, in part (c) a side view of the
package, the lid being closed, in part (d) a side view of the
package in the state according to part (b), and in part (e) a
longitudinal section through the package in a plane containing the
centre longitudinal axis,
FIG. 2 in part (a) a plane view of a blank for the outer shell of
the package according to FIG. 1 and in part (b) a plane view of a
blank for the inner shell of the package according to FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 in parts (a) to (d) several views of a second embodiment of
a package for tobacco-related articles according to the invention,
i.e. in part (a) an isometric view of the package, the lid being
partially opened, in part (b) an isometric view of the package, the
lid being fully opened and an inner shell of the package having
been moved to an advanced position, in part (c) a bottom view of
the package, and in part (d) a side view of the package in the
state according to part (b),
FIG. 4 in part (a) a plane view of a blank for the outer shell of
the package according to FIG. 3 and in part (b) a plane view of a
blank for the inner shell of the package according to FIG. 3,
FIG. 5 in parts (a) and (b) isometric views of a third embodiment
of a package according to the invention, which contains two
bundles, i.e. in part (a) with the lid partially opened and in part
(b) with an inner shell of the package in an advanced position and
the lid being fully opened,
FIG. 6 in parts (a) and (b) isometric views of a fourth embodiment
of a package according to the invention, i.e. in part (a) with a
two-part lid partially opened and in part (b) with two inner shells
of the package in an advanced position, the two-part lid being
fully opened, and
FIG. 7 in parts (a) to (c) several views of a fifth embodiment of a
package according to the invention, i.e. in part (a) an isometric
view of the package, the lid being partially opened, in part (b) an
isometric view of the package, the lid being fully opened and the
inner shell of the package having been moved to an advanced
position, and in part (c) a schematic longitudinal section through
parts of the outer shell and the inner shell of the package,
illustrating the function of an actuator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a package 1 for
tobacco-related articles.
The package 1 comprises an outer shell 2, a lid 4 adapted to close
the outer shell 2, and an inner shell 6, which is movable within
the outer shell 2 from a retracted position, see FIG. 1(a), to an
advanced position, see FIG. 1(b).
The inner shell 6 accommodates a bundle 8 of tobacco-related
articles, e.g. a bundle of cigarettes. The bundle 8 is provided in
a conventional manner, e.g. by wrapping a plurality of cigarettes
with, e.g., an aluminium foil or aluminium-laminated paper. In the
state of the package 1 shown in FIG. 1(b), the bundle 8 can be
easily opened in order to take out a cigarette.
The outer shell 2 comprises front wall 10, a rear wall 12, two
lateral walls 14 and a bottom wall 16. In the embodiment, the top
side 18 provides a free cross-sectional area.
The front wall 10 includes a cutout 20, i.e. an aperture fully
penetrating the front wall 10. In the embodiment, the cutout is
located approximately in the centre area of the front wall 10.
The lid 4 is connected to the upper edge of the rear wall 12 via a
hinge line 22 so that it can be swivelled from a closed state, see
FIG. 1(c), to a fully opened state, see FIG. 1(b), FIG. 1(d), and
FIG. 1(e). In the embodiment, the lid 4 comprises a top wall 24
having a front edge 26 and a rear edge 28, see FIG. 1(d), as well
as two lateral edges 30, see FIG. 1(a). Its bottom side is
designated by reference numeral 32, see FIG. 1(e). The hinge line
22 runs along the rear edge 28 of lid 4 and is designed from a fold
line of the blank the outer shell is formed from.
Moreover, the lid 4 comprises a front edge wall 34 extending from
front edge 26 and two lateral edge walls 36 extending from the two
lateral edges 30 of the top wall 24 of lid 4. As can be seen in
FIGS. 1(a), (b), (d) and (e), the edge walls and 36 have a
"bevelled" shape. That means, they extend from the front edge 26
and the lateral edges 30, respectively, in a somewhat inwardly
inclined manner such that the edge walls 34 and 36 can enter the
interior space of the outer shell 2 when the lid 4 is closed.
Consequently, the edge walls 34 and 36 are not visible when the lid
4 is closed, see FIG. 1(c). In other words, when the lid 4 is
closed, only its top wall 24 can be seen, which imparts to the
package 1 a striking design.
When the lid 4 is closed, the edge walls 34 and 36 are located
inside the outer shell 2 and stabilise the package 1. In the
embodiment, the edge walls 34 and 36 have a triangular
cross-sectional shape, see FIG. 1(e), which provides for a
generally large strength of the edge walls 34 and 36. Moreover, the
bevelled or inclined shape of the edge walls 34, 36 facilitates the
closing process of the lid 4. In variants of the embodiment
according to FIG. 1, the cross-sectional shape of the edge walls is
not triangular, but different, e.g. more or less rounded.
The inner shell 6 comprises a front wall 40 and a rear wall 42, see
FIG. 1(e), two lateral walls 44, see FIG. 1(d), as well as a bottom
wall 46, see FIG. 1(e). The upper edge of the front wall 40 and
part of the upper edges of the lateral walls 44 are arranged below
the upper edge of the rear wall 42, see FIG. 1(b) and FIG. 1(d),
which provides a free access area 48 for facilitating the removal
of the tobacco-related articles of bundle 8.
In the area of the cutout 20 of the outer shell 2, the front wall
40 of the inner shell 6 is coated with a grip-enhancing,
high-frictional material, e.g. a rubber-like material.
The inner shell 6 is coupled to the lid 4 by means of a hinged
connector 50. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the connector 50 extends over
most of the width of package 1. FIG. 1(e) illustrates the details
of the connector 50 and explains how it works.
In the embodiment, the connector 50 extends from the upper edge of
the rear wall 42 of the inner shell 6 at a first hinge line 52. The
connector 50 is attached to the bottom side 32 of the top wall 24
of lid 4 at a second hinge line 54. The connector 50 can swivel
about the hinge lines 52 and 54.
Moreover, in the embodiment, the distance between the first hinge
line 52 and the second hinge line 54 is greater than the distance
between the second hinge line 54 and the hinge line 22 of lid 4,
e.g. by an amount of about 0.7 mm.
When the lid 4 is in its closed state, see FIG. 1(c), a user can
place the package 1 in the palm of one of his or her hands, touch
the front wall 40 of the inner shell 6 through the cutout 20 in the
outer shell 2 with his or her thumb and move the thumb upwards. In
this way, the user shifts the inner shell 6 from its retracted
position upwards until it achieves its fully advanced position.
During the movement of the inner shell 6, the connector 50 opens
the lid 4 by swivelling it about the hinge line 22. Since during
all times of this movement, the hinge lines 22, 52 and 54 form a
triangle in the plane of FIG. 1(e), the swivel movement of the lid
4 is well-defined.
Initially, when lid 4 is closed, the ratio of the distance between
the first hinge line 52 of the connector 50 and the hinge line 22
of the lid 4 to the distance between the hinge line 22 of the lid 4
and the second hinge line 54 of the connector 50 is about 0.78, in
the embodiment. This implies that, on the one hand, the lid 4
experiences a sufficient torque during the initial moments of the
opening movement, whereas, on the other hand, the upper edge of the
inner shell 6, i.e. the first hinge line 52, is not located too
much below the hinge line 22, i.e. the connector mechanism does not
waste much space in top of the inner shell 6 when the inner shell 6
assumes its retracted position.
When the user moves his or her thumb downwards, the inner shell 6
is shifted back to its retracted position, and the connector 50
pulls the lid 4 down to its closed state.
Other numerical values of the numbers presented above can be chosen
as well. A person skilled in the art can optimise the geometry of
the connector 50 depending on the actual dimensions of the outer
shell 2 and the inner shell 6.
FIG. 2 illustrates a blank 60 of the outer shell 2, see FIG. 2(a),
as well as a blank 70 of the inner shell 6, see FIG. 2(b). In the
embodiment, both blanks are made from cardboard of a usual
thickness, e.g. in the weight range from 180 g/m.sup.2 to 290
g/m.sup.2. Other blank materials are conceivable as well, e.g.
laminated cardboard or plastic materials.
In FIG. 2(a), the front wall 10, the rear wall 12, the lateral
walls 14, and the bottom wall 16 of the outer shell 2 are indicated
by their reference numerals. Moreover, any gluing tabs are
designated by reference numeral 62 and any cut-through lines by
reference numeral 63. The lines not indicated by reference numerals
are usual fold lines. The hatched areas are completely cut
away.
In area of the cutout 20, three tabs 64 are provided which are
folded back during the assemblage of the package and are glued to
the inner side of the front wall 10 in order to form smooth and
well-appearing edges of the cutout 20.
Reference numeral 65 indicates an area for a warning hint. The size
of this area is prescribed by national regulations. In blank 60,
the area 65 is located below the cutout 20.
Similar to the tabs 64, a reinforcement panel 66 is folded back
during assemblage of the outer shell 2 in order to strengthen the
outer shell 2 and form a well-appearing upper edge of the front
wall 10.
FIG. 2(a) also illustrates how the lid 4 including its top wall 24
and the edge walls 34 and 36 is formed from the blank 60. The edge
walls 34 and 36 are folded about their respective fold lines and
are fixed to the lower side of top wall 24 by means of respective
gluing tabs 62. A first part 68 of the hinged connector 50 is
incorporated in the gluing tab 62 of the front edge wall 34.
The individual steps for assembling the outer shell 2 from blank 60
are evident to a person skilled in the art.
In a similar way, the blank 70 of the inner shell 6 shown in FIG.
2(b) comprises the front wall 40, the rear wall 42, both lateral
walls 44 and the bottom wall 46 of the inner shell 6 and
additionally some gluing tabs 72. Cut-through lines are indicated
by reference numeral 73. Part 74 is a reinforcement part which,
after having been folded and glued to the rear wall 42, stabilises
the rear wall 42 and provides for a well-appearing upper edge of
the rear wall 42.
A reinforcement panel 76 is folded back (and preferably glued) to
the inner side of the front wall 40 in order to stabilise the front
wall 40 of the inner shell 6. When the user puts his or her thumb
through the cutout 20, he or she exerts some force onto the front
wall 40 of the inner shell 6. As long as the bundle 8 in the inner
shell 6 is still complete or almost complete, the front wall 40 of
the inner shell 6 does not much yield under this pressure. During
use of the package 1, however, the residual bundle 8 gets smaller
and does not stabilise the inner shell 6 anymore. For this reason,
the rigid front wall 40 is advantageous. In addition to
reinforcement panel 76, another reinforcement panel can be used.
This additional reinforcement panel can be part of the blank of the
inner shell 6. A separate reinforcement panel, e.g. made from a
stronger material, which is attached during the assembly process of
the inner shell 6, is conceivable as well. As an alternative, the
inner shell could be made completely from a sufficiently strong
plastic material, e.g. as an injection-moulded part.
FIG. 2(b) also shows a second part 78 of the connector 50 which is
cut out from the reinforcement part 74 along three cut-through
lines 73.
Again, it is evident to a person skilled in the art how the inner
shell 6 is assembled from blank 70.
After assemblage of the outer shell 2 and the inner shell 6 from
the blanks 60 and 70, respectively, is complete, the inner shell 6
is inserted in the outer shell 2 via top side 18, and the first
part 68 and the second part 78 of the connector 50 are glued
together, e.g. in a position of the lid 4 as in FIG. 1(a).
Different designs of the connector are conceivable as well, e.g. a
connector fully integrated in the blank of the outer shell or a
connector fully integrated in the blank of the inner shell.
Moreover, the shape of the connector can be different from that
shown in FIG. 2, e.g. an even wider connector which would stabilise
the package even more than the connector 50 of package 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a package for
tobacco-related articles, which is designated by reference numeral
80.
The package 80 is similar to the package 1 described so far. For
this reason, for most parts of package 80, the same reference
numerals are used as for package 1. These parts, which include the
opening mechanism of the lid 4, are not explained again.
The main difference between the packages 80 and 1 is the outer
shape. In package 80, the outer shell 2 has an octagonal
cross-sectional shape, see in particular the bottom view according
to FIG. 3(c). This octagonal shape is achieved by means of side
panels 82 which are folded by fold lines 83 from the front wall 10
and the rear wall 12, respectively. By definition, the side panels
82 are considered as parts of the front wall 10 and the rear wall
12, respectively, but they could be considered as parts of the
lateral walls 14 as well.
FIG. 4(a) shows a blank 84 for the outer shell of package 80. In
this case, a warning-hint area 85 is located above the cutout of
the front wall. Generally, the cutout in the front wall of the
outer shell should not overlap with the free access area of the
inner shell when the inner shell is in its retracted position.
A blank 86 of the inner shell of package 80 is shown in FIG. 4(b).
The shape of the inner shell is adapted to that of the outer shell,
i.e. the inner shell has an octagonal cross-sectional shape as
well. In FIG. 4(b), the corresponding side panels and fold lines
are indicated by reference numerals 88 and 89, respectively.
Otherwise, the explanation given for the assemblage of package 1 by
means of the blanks 60 and 70 holds for the assemblage of the
package 80 by means of the blanks 84 and 86 in an analogous
manner.
FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the package for
tobacco-related articles, which is designated by reference numeral
90. In this embodiment, an outer shell 92 with a cutout 93 at its
front wall can be closed at its top side by means of a swivelable
lid 94. An inner shell 96 is shiftably mounted in the outer shell
92 and can be moved from a retracted position to an advanced
position. The lid 94 is coupled to the inner shell 96 by means of a
connector.
As before, a user can move the inner shell 96 and automatically
open the lid 94 by gripping with, e.g., the thumb through the
cutout 93 and sliding the inner shell 96 upwards. So far, the
package 1 and the package 90 are very similar.
In contrast to package 1, however, package 90 is wider such that
its inner shell 96 can accommodate two bundles 98 and 99 of
tobacco-related articles, e.g. cigarettes. In practice, one bundle
is consumed first, while the other one stays closed at the
beginning to keep its freshness. Afterwards, the other bundle is
consumed.
A fourth embodiment of the package for tobacco-related articles is
shown in FIG. 6. This package is designated by reference numeral
100.
The package 100 comprises an outer shell 102 with two cutouts 103
in its front wall. The lid, which is swivelably connected to the
upper edge of the rear wall of the outer shell 102, consists of two
parts, a first part 104 and a second part 105. Both parts 104 and
105 of the lid are independent from each other.
The outer shell 102 houses two inner shells, a first inner shell
106 and a second inner shell 107. The first inner shell 106
accommodates one bundle 108 of tobacco-related articles, the second
inner shell 107 one bundle 109.
The first part 104 of the lid is coupled to the first inner shell
106 by means of a connector designed as connector 50 of the
embodiment according to FIG. 1. Similarly, the second part 105 of
the lid is coupled to the second inner shell 107 by means of a
corresponding connector. Consequently, both inner shells 106 and
107 including the parts of the lid coupled thereto, i.e. the first
part 104 and the second part 105, respectively, can be moved
independently from each other. In other words, the package 100 can
be considered as two packages 1 arranged side by side with a common
outer shell 102.
FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a package for
tobacco-related articles, which is designated by reference numeral
110.
The design of the package 110 is very similar to that of the
package 1 according to FIG. 1. However, the package 110 does not
include as large a cutout as the cutout 20 of package 1.
The package 110 comprises an outer shell 112, a lid 114, which is
automatically operated via a connector 115, and an inner shell 116,
which can be moved from a retracted position to an advanced
position. When the lid 114 is closed, the inner shell 116 is in its
retracted position. FIG. 7(a) shows an intermediate state, when the
lid 114 is partially opened. In FIG. 7(b), the inner shell 116 has
been moved to its advanced position, and the lid 114 has been fully
opened. The inner shell 116 holds a bundle 118 of cigarettes, which
is still closed in the views according to FIG. 7(a) and FIG.
7(b).
The outer shell 112 has a front wall 120, which comprises a cutout
122 shaped as a slot 124 extending in parallel to the moving
direction of the inner shell 116 plus an essentially circular
widened area 126 at the lower end of the slot 124.
FIG. 7(c) shows a schematic longitudinal section through parts of
the outer shell 112 and the inner shell 116. The inner shell 116
comprises a front wall 128, at which an actuator 130 is attached.
In the embodiment, the actuator 130 has a cylindrical symmetry,
includes a base 132 having a large diameter and a protrusion 134
having a small diameter, and is made from plastic material. The
base 132 just fits into the widened area 126, whereas the
protrusion 134 emerging from the base 132 can slide along the slot
124.
When the inner shell 116 is in its retracted position and the lid
114 is closed, the base 132 of the actuator 130 rests in the
widened area 126 because the actuator 130 is biased by the
essentially elastic action of the inner shell 116 towards the left
side, in the view of FIG. 7(c). In this state, the base 132 locks
the actuator 130, the inner shell 116 connected to the actuator
130, and the lid 114 connected to the inner shell 116. Now, when
the user presses onto the protrusion 134, i.e. exerts a force
directed to the right side in the view of FIG. 7(c), the base 132
is released from the widened area 126, and the protrusion 134
enters the slot 124. Thereafter, the user can easily move the
protrusion 134 in the upward direction, thus advancing the inner
shell 116 and opening the lid 114. FIG. 7(a) shows an intermediate
position and FIG. 7(b) the fully advanced position of the inner
shell 116.
In order to close the package 110, the user moves the protrusion
134 in the downward direction, until the base 132 locks in the
widened area 126 of the cutout 122.
In a modification of the package 110, the cutout 122 additionally
comprises a widened area at the upper end of the slot 124 so that
the actuator 130 also locks the inner shell 116 in its advanced
position.
In another modification of the package 110, the inner shell 116 is
biased to its advanced position by means of a spring provided
between a bottom of the outer shell 112 and a bottom of the inner
shell 116. To open this package, the user presses the protrusion
134 in order to release the base 132 from the widened area 126, and
immediately afterwards the spring moves the inner shell 116 to its
advanced position. To close the package, the user shifts the
actuator 130 in the downward direction, against the spring force,
until the base 132 locks in the widened area 126.
* * * * *